Ahead of the Wednesday night home game against LA Force, Flower City Union has signed FCY New York stars Ali Alomara, Adam Saif, and Moe Saif to contracts. The trio come from FCY New York, a UPSL Premier team based in their hometown of Lackawanna, New York. FCY New York is coming off their most successful season to date, as they reached the UPSL National Quarterfinals after going through the Western New York Division undefeated.
The first player coming from FCY New York is Ali Alomara. Alomara was the FCY New York’s second leading scorer with 10 goals, operating as their #10. The 5’11” Alomara previously spent three seasons at Niagara University, starting 25 games.
The attacking midfielder Moe Saif, was a three-year starter at Buffalo State, and captained the side in the 2022 season. In his three seasons for the Bengals, Moe totaled 28 points, and earned All-SUNYAC Third Team and All-SUNYAC First Team honors. Moe has spent two seasons with FCY New York, scoring one goal in the 2023 season.
The younger Saif, spent two years with his brother at Buffalo State, appearing in every game over that span for the Bengals. He was a 2022 Academic All-District Team selection in his sophomore season. Like his brother, Adam has spent two seasons with FCY New York, also scoring one goal in the 2023 season.
Valiant 33 was able to reach out to FCU Head Coach Jordan Sullivan, who had this to say about the signings “Following the UPSL Season, FCY stood out and FCU needed strength and depth in those areas. We brought the guys into training and we liked what they brought on and off the field.”
Analysis: Seeing local talent being given a shot to play professionally is great. All three players have proven their worth at the semi-professional level with FCY New York. Alomara should bring an attacking flair to Flower City, who is looking for attacking depth with forwards Michael Cunningham and Dylan Ruiz out with injury. The Saif brothers should provide excellent depth options for Sullivan in the midfield, which has seen Auston Kranick depart for Finnish side FC Inter Turku II and Joel Favard out for the season with injury.
It is worth noting that all players decided to end their collegiate careers early to come to Flower City, and thus have lots of potential to improve as players. Adam Saif and Ali Alomara are both only 21 years old, while Moe Saif is only 22. These players should bring an injection of youth into a Flower City Union side with an average age of 25.7.